Top Things to do in Northern Portugal
Top 10 Things to do in Northern Portugal, Portugal
Brimming with both history and natural wonder, Northern Portugal is home to Porto, the city that gave the country its name, as well as the important ancient town of Braga. Also here is Peneda-Gerês, Portugal’s only national park, a gorgeous wilderness area of mountains, gorges, water features and wildlife. Many picturesque villages and manor houses dot the countryside. Two areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Alto Douro Wine Region, and the Paleolithic rock art in the Côa Valley.
Restaurants in Northern Portugal
1. The Douro Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By judythr
We stayed at the Quinta Monte Bravo, a bit off the beaten track but lovely and Teresa's dinners were far better than at any restaurant we visited in Portugal except maybe one. The sheer beauty of the terraced vineyards and olive groves plus the beautiful and historic river Douro are just amazing! And, yes, this is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which speaks for itself!
2. Museu de Aveiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 405 reviews
Reviewed By carposmrs - Balbriggan, Ireland
This museum has to be one of Portugal's unsung heroes. There is so much to do and see in Portugal but this museum is a must see. My husband and I were blown away by the beauty of the little church and the wonderful ceilings. We spent about an hour and a half here wondering around taking photos just taking in the beauty all around us.
3. Ponte de Dom Luis I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,398 reviews
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Reviewed By 364anac - Porto, Portugal
This Eiffel style bridge is the perfect spot to see the Rebelo boats where the Oporto wine barrels were carried down the river from the Douro valley, the historic Porto town center and a perfect background for the trip picture from the Gaia cable car (teleférico de Gaia)
4. Douro River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,397 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
A Mighty River of Commerce In November, we were once more on the Douro River, or above it, watching it flow. We spent hours on the patio of our room at the Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia, observing the life blood of northern Portugal, the Douro River. Unlike our previous visit, we did not have time to take a cruise on the Douro, higher above Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, but we actually had more time to just watch the river flow - the water taxis, the tourist cruise vessels, and then the flow of commerce. Looking out at the replicas of the rabelos, the boats used to bring the Port wines down from the vineyards, far upstream, to the Port Houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto, I could almost imagine those earlier journeys. Though the River has been tamed somewhat, by a series of dams and locks, it is still a powerful current, heading toward the Atlantic, just a few miles away. In some ways, the Douro reminded me of the Mississippi River, in the USA, with the various types of vessels plying it hourly. Just watching commerce, in various forms, became a pastime with us, and with a bottle of wine, we could have spent the entire trip, just watching this river.
5. Centro Historico de Guimaraes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,021 reviews
Reviewed By maude52
It’s a beautiful city. The real Portugal. Lots to see. Very walkable. Great restaurants. They light the city at night. It’s like Christmas
6. Cais da Ribeira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,851 reviews
Reviewed By rhmclapham - Swansea, United Kingdom
The beating heart of an incredible city, just sitting in one of the myriad cafes and restaurants and watching the world bustle past....one of life's must do moments that will linger for a lifetime. Ships ploughing their way up the river, ferries making their way between banks, couples laughing, glorious food, wine and vistas to die for... Did I mention it was a nice place to visit?
7. Graham's Port Lodge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,498 reviews
RESERVATION REQUIRED. Graham’s Port is owned and managed by the Symington family, ten of whom work in the company (four from the 4th generation and six from the 5th generation of Port producers). They and their ancestors have made some of the greatest Port Wines of all. The magnificent Graham’s cellars were built in 1890 and contain a priceless collection of Port ageing in seasoned oak cascks and in bottle. Visits can only be made by prior appointment so that you will be met on arrival and shown around the cellars by a highly trained guide in the language of your preference.
Reviewed By ddkine - Huntington Beach, United States
Educational tour with a view! Prior to our visit, our favorite port was Taylor Fladgate and we visited their distillery as well. But from an interest/educational and overall value standpoint the Graham distillery tour was much better. It was led by a guide (Taylor’s is self guided) who was very informative and fun to listen to. The tour was followed by a guided tasting as well and there were several options to choose from that was included in the tour price. And you could add to your tasting as well. The tasting room/lodge is located in the perfect place on the Gaia side of the Douro River with excellent views of Porto and Gaia and the river.
8. Oficina do Doce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
In the Oficina do Doce (The Sweet Workshop) you will have the opportunity of finding out about the history involving Ovos Moles and so many other convent-made sweets from Aveiro Region. Oficina do Doce is a learning space and shares historically faithful and representative of local reality. In our workshops you will be able to learn live, with a lot of energy, the most traditional way of making Ovos Moles. The most daring, these, will have the opportunity to experience their art as old-fashioned confectioners, filling and cutting those sweets with maritime designs. Products and Experiences genuinely Portuguese, prepared with care and diligence so that Portuguese and foreigners taste the best of Aveiro.
9. Ria de Aveiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,044 reviews
Reviewed By Luisaviajantegourmet - Ilhavo, Portugal
It is small but an amazing view Aveiro River. You can ride a Moliceiro a traditional boat....see the town and the amazing buildings. Also the places were there used to be salt, that is a great view.
10. Nau Quinhentista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By hans-jaguar - Santa Comba Dao, Portugal
The Nau Quinhentista is located just across the street in front of the museu “Alfandega Régia”, it is a replica from a Portuguese vessel from the North Atlantic career of the beginning of the 16th century, the vessel was designed by Admiral Rogério d'Oliveira and built at the Samuel & Filhos shipyards, which until 1993 were located in this same place. With a length of 27.50 meters, a width of 7.70 meters, a height of 4.75 meters, and a weight of around 300 tons. On the inside, you can see various reproductions of life on board that time, such as the crew members' quarters, places and ways of storing goods, disposal of cartographic material and instruments to aid navigation, artillery pieces, ballast, among others , in order to represent the complexity faced by navigators on their voyages on the high seas. O location not to be missed.
